Jill Sobule, singer of the groundbreaking 1995 hit 'I Kissed a Girl,' has sadly passed away in a house fire at the age of 66.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed by several of her former colleagues to The New York Post. According to reports, the fire broke out early Thursday morning.
Details surrounding the incident have not yet been made public, but the music world is already mourning the loss of a true original.
Sobule became a pop culture icon nearly 30 years ago with 'I Kissed a Girl', a song now widely recognized as the first openly gay-themed track to break into the Billboard Top 20.
Long before LGBTQ+ narratives found space on mainstream radio, Sobule was already there — fearless and unapologetic.
Millennials will also remember her for the unforgettable 'Supermodel', which had a starring moment on the Clueless soundtrack — an anthem for every teen who ever felt too weird, too awkward, or just not quite cool enough.
At the time of her passing, Sobule was preparing to perform “Jill Sobule presents: Songs From F–k 7th Grade & More” at Denver’s Swallow Hill Music’s Tuft Theater on Friday, May 2.
The show has since been canceled, with the venue now hosting a free informal gathering in her memory.
A formal memorial is being planned for later this summer, with fans and friends alike expected to celebrate the extraordinary life of a woman whose music and activism changed lives.
Her manager, John Porter, shared a powerful tribute: “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture. I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”
Her longtime attorney, Ken Hertz, reflected on their close bond: “Jill wasn’t just a client. She was family to us. She showed up for every birth, every birthday, and every holiday. She performed at our daughter’s wedding, and I was her ‘tech’ when she performed by Zoom from our living room (while living with us) during the pandemic.”
Craig Grossman, her booking agent, added: “I was fortunate enough to get to know Jill beyond a professional relationship. No one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond.”
Over her 30-year career, Sobule released 12 albums and consistently used her music to speak boldly on real-life issues — from eating disorders to capital punishment — with her signature blend of wit, warmth, and honesty.
Her musical “F–k 7th Grade” earned a Drama Desk nomination and enjoyed a four-theatrical run.
The original cast recording is still scheduled for release next month, along with a reissue of her self-titled album featuring 'I Kissed a Girl' and 'Supermodel', marking its 30th anniversary.
She also created the theme song for Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous, showing her talent could connect across generations.
Sobule’s journey began with her debut album Things Here Are Different in 1990.
Though her second album was never released, she made a massive comeback in 1995 when she signed with Atlantic and broke into the mainstream.
She was also a crowdfunding pioneer — long before it was the norm. Her 2009 album California Years was funded by over 500 donations, raising $75,000 in just two months, according to Variety.
Sobule is survived by her brother, James, her sister-in-law Mary, and two nephews.